Nikpai was in Taekwondo at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He defeated two-time world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain. Winning the bronze medal made him Afghanistan's first Olympic medalist in any event. Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai immediately called to congratulate Nikpai. He also gave him a house paid by the government.[3] "I hope this will send a message of peace to my country after 30 years of war," Nikpai said.[4][5]